Former fraternity member pleads guilty to involvement in hazing incident that left Mizzou freshman with brain damage

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A St. Louis County man pleaded guilty and reduced charges for his role in a hazing incident at a fraternity that left a University of Missouri freshman suffering severe brain damage.

Ryan Patrick Delanty pleaded guilty Friday in Boone County District Court to one count each of victimization of a minor and delivery of alcohol.

According to court documents, Delanty gave then-19-year-old Daniel Santulli of Eden Prarie, Minnesota, a bottle of vodka during an October 2021 “Pledge Dad Reveal” at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Santulli was later found in cardiac arrest in a car at University Hospital in Columbia. Authorities said his blood alcohol content was 0.486, more than six times the legal limit.

A university police investigation found that Santulli and other fraternity students were forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol. Both the national fraternity and the university suspended the Missouri chapter after Santulli was hospitalized, leaving him blind and unable to walk or communicate.

Delanty was one of several fraternity members charged over the incident.

Last year, Thomas Shultz of Chesterfield pleaded guilty to misdemeanor furnishing of alcohol to a minor, according to court records. As part of a plea agreement, his sentence included 30 days in jail, 100 hours of community service and two years probation.

In 2022, Santulli’s family settled with nearly two dozen defendants in a civil lawsuit.

Delanty’s sentencing was scheduled for May 24.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.